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An analysis of the scale of migration that followed the end of the Soviet empire and the difficulties the governments of the former Soviet republic sin the Commonwealth of Independent States are having in dealing with the issue. It is estimated that the collapse of the Soviet Union may have displaced between 12-15 million people.

An analysis of the political arguments that still rage when people in former Soviet-controlled regions attempt to put up monuments or memorials to those murdered by the Stalinist regime. In some regions, such as Belarus, Soviet atrocities are still officially denied, however, other regions, such as Poland, are more keen to recognise these crimes and put up memorials to the dead.

There is considerable ethnic diversity in Ukraine, presenting challenges for nation-building. People are divided by language, religion and culture, and Ukraine is also struggling to establish its political identity.

The Soviet space programme was surrounded by great secrecy. Space research was closely linked with the military, with all the rockets developed being funded from the military budget. Furthermore, there was already a strong culture of secrecy in the Soviet Union. Soviet propaganda presented the space effort as entirely peaceful, and great efforts were made to cover up any errors or accidents. With Glasnost, however, some information about the Soviet space programme was finally made public.